Marvell Rep Season to Include Spring's Awakening and Joy Franz in Threepenny Opera

By Michael Gioia
17 Jan 2012

Joy Franz
Joy Franz

Marvell Repertory Theatre artistic director Lenny Leibowitz and managing director Amy Estes have announced the company's 2012 season, which will include Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill's Threepenny Opera and Frank Wedekind's Spring's Awakening.

Marvell Rep, the New York City theatre company that presents work in rotating repertory, will offer their 2012 performances at TBG Theatre.

Kicking off the season in repertory from Jan. 31–Feb. 29 is Professor Bernhardi and Threepenny Opera. Arthur Schnitzler's Professor Bernhardi, translated by G.J. Weinberger, runs Jan. 31-Feb. 26. Opening night is set for Feb. 5. The cast will feature Sam L. Tsoutsouvas as Dr. Bernhardi, Chris Kipiniak as Dr. Ebenwald and Geddeth Smith as Dr. Cyprian.

The Threepenny Opera will run Feb. 6-29 with an opening set for Feb. 12. The cast will feature Ariela Morgenstern as Jenny Diver, Angus Hepburn as Jonathan Peachum, Joy Franz (Into the Woods) as Mrs. Peachum, Emma Rosenthal as Polly Peachum and Matt Faucher as Macheath.

"While searching for a musical for our 2012 season, Occupy Wall Street began to capture national and international attention. We realized, if there has ever been a time for Brecht, and particularly for Threepenny, it's now," said Leibowitz in a statement. "The Threepenny Opera is just as radical today as it was when the Nazis banned it, and it still astonishes with its combination of filth and grandeur, savagery and charm."

In repertory from Oct. 2–Nov. 4 is Sholem Asch's God of Vengeance (Oct. 2-28), Eugene O’Neill's Exorcism (Oct. 2-28) and Wedekind's Spring's Awakening (Oct. 8-Nov. 4). Additionally, the world premiere of Night Games by Dianna Russell and Leibowitz will be held in summer 2012.

The full Marvell acting company for this slate includes Joel Bernstein, Yuval Boim, Nathan Brisby, Jonathan Cantor, Rachel Claire, Faucher, Franz, Marc Geller, Kevin Gilmartin, Robert Gonyo, Hepburn, Chad Jennings, George Michael Kennedy, Kipiniak, Chiara Klein, Stass Klassen, Christopher Lee, Andrew Lemonier, Morgenstern, Damian Norfleet, Kelly Pekar, Rosalinda Perron, Markus Potter, Gavin Price, Franz Quitt, Mike Rosengarten, Rosenthal, Stephen Sheffer, Stephanie Shipp, Max Singer, Smith, Barbara Spiegel, Tsoutsouvas, Loralee Tyson, Jill Usdan and Kevin Winebold.

Members of the creative team include scenic designer Tijana Bjelajac, costume designer Susan Nester and lighting designer Nicholas Houfek.

For a full performance schedule, click here.

The TBG Theatre is located at 312 West 36th Street, 3rd Floor. For more information, call (212) 518-6085 or visit www.marvellrep.com.